Personal digital assistant

ABSTRACT

A kind of PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) that comprises a body and an expansion back case. The body comprises a connection groove found at its end, which connects to the body&#39;s processor. The expansion back case has default expansion functions, and it comprises a cover panel located at its end and a connection port below the cover panel. The connection port matches the connection groove when the body and the expansion back case are connected. To connect the body and the expansion back case together, simply slide the expansion back case on the back of the body until the cover panel of the expansion back case covers the connection port and the connection groove. A user may choose to carry either the binary PDA or just the body, so as to enhance the flexibility of the use of the PDA.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention is a kind of PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), andmore particularly, a PDA with its functions embodied in an expansionback case.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Given the popularity of the Internet, information-relatedcommodities have become popular products that link the previous centurywith the present century. The simple electronic notebooks that have beenevolving for years, helping people manage their lives and memorizetrivialities, have been gradually replaced by PDAs. PDAs have become atechnological upstart as well as the secretary of business peopleeverywhere.

[0003] A PDA is a palm-sized computer that works as a digital personalassistant. In the beginning, the basic functions of the PDA included nomore than a schedule, an agenda, a notepad and an address book. Theevolution of the PDA has enabled it to be connected to a computer forsynchronous data transmission, or even to be installed with varioustypes of application software so as to expand its functions. Theexpanded functions, which are too numerous to list, include receiving orsending e-mail online, browsing shares-related information, recordingrevenue and expenditure, browsing e-books, games, spreadsheets,databases, information about daily life and wireless communication, etc.A PDA works more efficiently than a hired assistant, provided that auser makes good use of the functions of the PDA s/he owns.

[0004] However, owing to its aforesaid diversified functions, the PDA isusually quite bulky and thus inconvenient to carry. As a result, userswho hold a PDA for a long time may get a sore arm. There are now designsthat employ another expansion device to carry out some of the functionsof PDAs, for example, an external keyboard, an external modem, and anexternal Bluetooth fixture, etc. However, when connected to a PDA, noneof these kinds of external devices can form a binary PDA that is easyand convenient to use (the protruding part prevents ease of use) andgood looking.

[0005] For the aforesaid reasons, the invention puts forward a PDA withan expansion back case that embodies diversified, but seldom used,functions, so that the body is smaller and lighter. Thus, it will beeasier for a user to hold the PDA and s/he may choose to carry eitherthe binary PDA or just the body so as to enhance the flexibility of theuse of PDA. In addition, putting the body and the expansion back casetogether produces no protruding part that can affect the ease of use,and does not detract from the appearance of the binary PDA.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The primary object of the invention is to provide a kind of PDAwith diversified functions but with a smaller and lighter body, so thata user finds it easy to hold the PDA and has the ability to choose tocarry either the binary PDA or just the body so as to enhance theflexibility of the use of PDA.

[0007] The PDA disclosed by the invention comprises a body and anexpansion back case. The body comprises a connection groove found at itsend that connects to the body's processor. The expansion back case hasdefault expansion functions, and it comprises a cover panel and aconnection port. The cover panel is found at the end of the expansionback case, whereas the connection port is found below the cover panel.The connection port matches the connection groove when the body and theexpansion back case are connected. To connect the body and the expansionback case for data transmission, simply slide the expansion back case onthe back of the body until the cover panel of the expansion back casecovers the connection port and the connection groove. Some of thefunctions of the body are embodied in the separable expansion back casein order to provide diversified functions for the PDA and make its bodysmaller and lighter. Therefore, a user finds it easy to hold the PDA andmay choose to carry either the binary PDA or just the body so as toenhance the flexibility of the use of PDA.

[0008] The aforesaid expansion back case may have either a singlefunction or diversified functions. According to the type of function,the functions embodied in the aforesaid expansion back case include atransmission interface for data transmission, a player for playingmusic, memory for data storage, a power supply, and an input unit forinputting data. In addition, the expansion back case has a fasteningunit to secure or release the locking relationship between the body andthe expansion back case.

[0009] To gain further insight into the object, the characteristics ofthe structure and the functions of the invention, illustration anddetailed explanations are given below:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0010] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the PDA disclosed by the inventioncomprises a body 10 and an expansion back case 20. The body 10 comprisesa processor 11, a monitor 12 and a connection groove 13, wherein theprocessor 11 processes and stores electronic data of the body 10, themonitor 12 displays the data of the body 10, and the connection groove13 is installed at the end (the top, as shown in the figures) of thebody 10 and connected to the processor 11 for data transmission.

[0011] The expansion back case 20 has default expansion functions. Itcomprises a cover panel 21, a connection port 22, and a fastening unit23, wherein the cover panel 21 is installed at the end of the expansionback case 20. Under the cover panel 21 is a connection port 22 thatmatches the connection groove 13 whenever the body 10 and the expansionback case 20 are connected. To connect the body 10 and the expansionback case 20 for data transmission, simply slide the expansion back case20 on the back of the body 10 until the cover panel 21 of the expansionback case 20 covers the connection port 22 and the connection groove 13.The fastening unit 23 secures or releases the locking relationshipbetween the body 10 and the expansion back case 20 whenever the body 10and the expansion back case 20 are connected or separated from oneanother.

[0012] The expansion back case 20 may have either a single expansionfunction or diversified functions. Its function can be one, or part, ofthe following: wireless transmission, cable transmission, playing music,data storage, electric supply and data input, etc.

[0013] When the expansion back case 20 possesses both a wirelesstransmission function and a cable transmission function, it acts as atransmission interface, such as a PCMCIA card (Personal Computer MemoryCard International Association), a Bluetooth module or a connector, forthe purpose of data transmission.

[0014] When the expansion back case 20 possesses a music playingfunction, it acts as a player that plays the music stored by the body 10or by the player itself. However, it can play music only when itincludes memory.

[0015] When the expansion back case 20 possesses a data storagefunction, it acts as memory for storing data.

[0016] When the expansion back case 20 possesses an electric supplyfunction, it acts as a power supply for supplying electricity forcontingent use.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, when the expansion back case 20 possesses adata input function, it acts as an input unit, such as a set of numericbuttons or a keyboard, for inputting data into the body 10.

[0018] Again, as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C & 4D, the fastening unit 23comprises a groove region 231, a fastener 232 and a releaser 233. Thegroove region 231 is found in the two opposite ends of the body 10. Thetwo ends connect to the two ends of the connection groove 13,respectively. At the end of the groove region 231 is a groove 2311,installed on the cover panel 22 of the expansion back case 20. Thefastener 232 matches the groove region 231. At the end of the fastener232 is a barb 2321 that matches the groove 2311. When the body 10 andthe expansion back case 20 are connected, the fastener 232 moves alongthe groove region 231 until the barb 2321 locks with the groove 2311 forsecuring the locking relationship between the body 10 and the expansionback case 20. The releaser 233 is axially connected inside the body 10and it matches the groove region 231. It releases the lockingrelationship between the body 10 and the expansion back case 20. Itcomprises a button 2331 and a pushing region 2332, both installed on thetwo sides of the body 10. The pushing region 2332 faces the place wherethe barb 2321 matches the groove 2311. When the button 2331 is pressed,the releaser 233 rotates around the point of axial connection, makingthe pushing region 2332 push the barb 2321 out of the groove 2311, whichreleases the locking relationship between the body 10 and the expansionback case 20.

[0019] To put the body 10 and the expansion back case 20 together, letthe body 10 lie on the expansion back case 20 (the figures show the backof the body 10), make the connection groove 13 and the connection port22 face each other and then move them toward each other (that is, theexpansion back case 20 slides horizontally on the body 10). When theconnection groove 13 connects with the connection port 22, the fastener232 moves along the groove region 231, so that whenever the barb 2321reaches the groove 2311, the barb 2321 locks with the groove 2311,eventually securing the locking relationship between the body 10 and theexpansion back case 20. On the other hand, to separate the barb 2321from the groove 2311, press the button 2331 and the pushing region 2332moves toward the barb 2321 until the barb 2321 is pushed out of thegroove 2311, which releases the locking relationship between the body 10and the expansion back case 20.

[0020] In addition, when the body 10 and the expansion back case 20 areconnected, the cover panel 21 lies flush on top of the body 10 so as toform a binary PDA (without any protruding part that may affect the easeof use of the PDA) that is easy and convenient to use, as well as goodlooking.

[0021] In the event that the groove region 231 and the fastener 232 donot have the groove 2311 and the barb 2321, respectively, they can belinked up and thus the body 10 and the expansion back case 20 can beconnected by means of a tight-matched design. That means the body 10 isa little larger than the expansion back case 20, so the two can matchvery tight.

[0022] The Effect Achieved

[0023] The invention is a PDA with its functions expanded by anexpansion back case, which is separable from the body of the PDA.Accordingly, the PDA is petite and portable, and a user may choose tocarry either the binary PDA or just the body, so as to enhance theflexibility of the use of PDA. In addition, whenever the body and theexpansion back case are connected, the cover panel of the expansion backcase lies flush on top of the body, so there is no protruding part thatmay affect the ease of use of the PDA, and the binary PDA is goodlooking.

[0024] While the invention has been described by way of example and interms of a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended tocover various modifications and similar arrangements and procedures, andthe scope of the appended claims therefore should be accorded thebroadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications andsimilar arrangements and procedures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025]FIGS. 1 and 2 depict the relationship between a PDA body and anexpansion back case;

[0026]FIG. 3 depicts an expansion back case that functions as an inputunit; and

[0027]FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C & 4D illustrate how a body and an expansion backcase are connected or separated from one another.

What is claimed is:
 1. A PDA that comprises: a body that comprises aprocess, a monitor and a connection groove, wherein the said processoris used to process and store the electronic data of the said body, thesaid monitor displays the data of the said body, and the said connectiongroove is installed at an end of the said body and connected to the saidprocessor; and an expansion back case equipped with default expansionfunctions has a cover panel installed at its end, and under the saidcover panel is a connection port that faces the said connection groovewhenever the said body and the said expansion back case are connected,as connecting the said body and the said expansion back case, simplyslide the said expansion back case on the said body until the said coverpanel of the said expansion back case covers the said connection portand the said connection groove.
 2. The PDA of claim 1, wherein the saidexpansion back case also comprises a fastening unit for securing andreleasing the locking relationship between the said body and the saidexpansion back case.
 3. The PDA of claim 2, wherein the said fasteningunit comprises two groove regions and two matching fasteners, the saidgroove regions are installed on the two opposite sides of the said body,and the said two opposite sides connect to the end at which the saidconnection grooved is installed, the said fasteners are installed on thesaid cover panel so as to secure the locking relationship between thesaid body and the said expansion back case when the said body and thesaid expansion back case are connected.
 4. The PDA of claim 3, whereinthe said fastener of the said fastening unit further comprises a barbthat installed at its end, and the said groove region comprises a groovethat matches the said barb, so that the said barb will lock with thesaid groove whenever the said body and the said expansion back case areconnected.
 5. The PDA of claim 4, wherein the said fastening unitfurther comprises two releasers which axially connected inside the saidbody and match the two said groove regions respectively comprise abutton and a pushing region found, respectively, at its two ends,wherein the said pushing region faces the place where the said barblocks with the said groove, so that whenever the said button is pressed,the said pushing region will push the said barb out of the said groove,and eventually releasing the locking relationship between the said bodyand the said expansion back case.
 6. The PDA of claim 1, wherein thesaid expansion back case is a transmission interface.
 7. The PDA ofclaim 6, wherein the said expansion back case is a PCMCIA card.
 8. ThePDA of claim 6, wherein the said expansion back case is a Bluetoothmodule.
 9. The PDA of claim 6, wherein the said expansion back case is aconnector.
 10. The PDA of claim 1, wherein the said expansion back caseis a player.
 11. The PDA of claim 1, wherein the said expansion backcase is a memory.
 12. The PDA of claim 1, wherein the said expansionback case is a power supply.
 13. The PDA of claim 1, wherein the saidexpansion back case is an input unit.
 14. The PDA of claim 13, whereinthe said expansion back case is a set of buttons.
 15. The PDA of claim13, wherein the said expansion back case is a set of numeric buttons.